The reverse fixture saw The Stones narrowly win in the last minute of the game at Beckenham – but today a Folkestone team completely dominated the opposition and

11th January 2014 Report By Alan Schofield
After a series of three disappointing results and performances, Folkestone bounced back with a vengeance for a convincing win over the first visitors of 2014 to Burlington Fields, Old Dunstonian. The reverse fixture saw The Stones narrowly win in the last minute of the game at Beckenham – but today a Folkestone team completely dominated the opposition and earned a well-needed 5 points in the table for their bonus point win.
David Baxter and Mike Gardener made welcome returns to the starting XV and their presence was immediately seen at the first scrum when the opposition, who themselves had a formidable looking pack, were forced to concede 5 metres against a formidable shove.
Throughout the game Old Dunstonian could not cope with the power being transmitted through the open side of the scrum by the combination of Mike Gardener, David Baxter and Martin Murray. Winning the battle in the forwards often leads to winning the whole game. So it proved to be.
A series of 5 metre attacking scrums to the home side after 10 minutes saw good possession at the base of the scrum for Adam Tolman and John Eustace to combine and send Jon Morton through for a try and a 5 – 0 lead.
Old Dunstonian were being forced into kicking downfield to clear and try to gain ground, but this merely succeeded in feeding the hungry Folkestone backs. It was only some handling errors that prevented further scoring.
Chris Petley was commanding the Folkestone ball at the line out and he set up another attacking force in which John Eustace, David Baxter and Jon Morton all featured. Unfortunately Jon Morton was injured in his attempt at the try line, and he had to be replaced by Lewis Howland.
But in a remarkable come-back, Dunstonian scored a try which started in their own in-goal from desperate defence to run the whole length of the field, whilst The Stones were queuing up to score what they had hoped was a deserved second try. A scoreboard showing 5 – 7 did nothing to reflect the game after 20 minutes.
But matters were adjusted quickly when Will Turner made good ground to start a move in the three-quarters which saw Seyhan Fell joining the line on the right wing to run through unopposed. 10 – 7.
Within a minute Folkestone were denied another try when Adam Tolman fed Will Silvey with a clear field in front of him. The referee saw a forward pass which was hotly disputed by those in direct line with the ball. Nevertheless, The Stones forwards won the scrum against the head and were unstoppable in their determination and strength, Captain ‘Moose’ Murray scoring a powerful try and a 15 – 7 lead at half-time.
The second half saw a resumption of open attacking rugby and John Eustace had a 40 metre strong run with Richard Dagger on his shoulder and a clear field in front. Unfortunately the final pass was misdirected and another chance went begging.
The mighty prop Tom Carvill then injured a shoulder to be replaced by Warren Blandford.
The Stones forwards were now completely dominating a tired looking Dunstonian – and the youth and fitness of Ben Stringer snuffed out any hopes that the opposition had when they occasionally gained possession.
In a brilliant move from Chris Petley again winning good ball from a line out – Folkestone backs made a series of short runs and inside passes that bamboozled the opposition so that Jack Cox saw a clear run through to score the well-deserved fourth and bonus point, try under the posts. Seyhan Fell, having a very unusual off day with his goal attempts, converted this one easily. 22 – 7.
Whilst the forwards were in complete control, Lewis Howland (now at scrum half) was feeding Adam Tolman, at fly-half, with good effect and it was only handling errors that delayed extending the lead.
Dunstonian strength and danger seemed to be on both wings, but Folkestone were as sharp in defence as they were in attack – and they quickly tackled the few attacking moves that they had to contend with.
Will Turner, inventive and reliable as ever, was replaced by Kevin Murray for the last 10 minutes.
Adam Tolman was finding space with intelligent kicking and a beautifully judged chip kick was snapped up by Richard Dagger on the right wing – and Seyhan Fell in support was handed a lovely pass to score unopposed and at 27 – 7 The Stones were well in control.
And minutes later it was well appreciated by the large crowd that Adam Tolman ran over himself in a move which he started and finished. Seyhan Fell converted and the score stood at 34 – 7.
But to their credit Dunstonian fought back strongly in the last minutes of game and scored a well worked try under the posts just before the final whistle.
There were a host of Man-of-the Match contenders on this day for Folkestone, but Ben Stringer earned this by being a power house in the scrum and in defence and in setting up attacks. But it was good to see Folkestone back to the form they showed in the first three months of the season.
The footnote for this week must sympathise with all the players who, after a particularly muddy encounter, had to put up with only cold showers, there being a malfunction in the hot water system. But the home team were so flushed with success they probably never noticed!

Team: Seyhan Fell; Richard Dagger, Jon Morton, John Eustace, Richie Bowen; Will Silvey, Adam Tolman; Martin Murray (Capt.), Jack Cox, Tom Carvill; Ben Stringer, David Baxter; Will Turner, Chris Petley, Mike Gardner. Chris Petley.
Subs: Warren Blandford, Kevin Murray, Lewis Howland.
Scorers: Jon Morton T; Seyhan Fell 2T,2C; Martin Murray T; Jack Cox T; Adam Tolman T.